Jeep or CRV - the search for a toad continues

[Effy]

Narrowing down the search for a new toad that we can tow 4 down. DW's current Civic requires a dolly and it's a pain. So we drove the CRV and frankly she's not crazy about it. It's a great toad based on everything I have read but she just wasn't feeling it. She loves her civic BTW but she's committed to getting a 4 downer. We are also looking at the Jeep Wrangler unlimited. Again this appears to be a great toad. However it's about 1k heavier than the CRV and has a worse crash rating. Not horrible just not as good. Based on my numbers I can pull either although the Jeep gets me close to the max I can tow. I know I am opening this up to a perference thing but let me ask a few technical questions. Is one easier than the other to set up? Baseplates, brakes etc? Is one easier to hook up (riser vs drop reciever, the transmission prep for tow)She will require an automatic trans. Are the baseplates the same price? Does one tow better? You get the idea. The Jeep sure does have the fun factor for vacations but whatever we choose it will also be a daily driver. Not a commute per se as my wife works PT and very close to the house but it will be used as a standard vehicle. We are also considering relocating south - SC, Fla etc where the Jeep would be better suited but that's a bit down the road - pardon the pun. Ok, I digress, but back to basics. Is one technically easier, more suited for towing? Is one better as far as an overall vehicle ie; as maintenance and repairs and reliability? Thanks

[JimM68]

I tow a jeep, a 2000 TJ Wrangler with 283,000 miles on it at last count.
I also drive it everywhere every day, and insist that I like it. Itsa jeep thing, you just wouldn't understand.

But with the addition of our third dog, we have outgrown it, and a month ago I put a blue ox baseplate on the wife's 2010 Jeep Liberty. We'll see how it tows, but it is a very nice little truck/suv/jeep thing. I never liked the first design liberty's, the rounded ones with the spare tire on the tailgate. But this body style looks good. Kinda like a Jeep Commander that spent too much time in the dryer?

You might take a look and a test drive of a lightly used last design Liberty. Maybe your DW will like it. A 2013 model would still have a warrantee and be buyable for maybe $19k (for a limited like we have)

[Effy]

Here's how I am shaking this out

CRV - Pros - Lighter, cheaper, better crash rating, higher reliability
Cons - Powertrain warranty is actually less than Jeep, resale is less, Smaller engine, more electronics ( I know I go against the grain on this one but my wife suffers from EMFHS (Electro mnagnetic hypersensitivity) and more electronics exacerbates her symptoms)

Jeep - pros - Bigger engine, better resale, better PT warranty, fun factor, less electronics, easier to mount base plates
Cons - worse crash test rating, heavier, more expensive, ride quality, less reliability

Really starting to split hairs here. There are some very important pros to each as far as personal needs.

[Mr_Mark1]

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[Pangaea_Ron]

John&Joey wrote:

To the OP, real simple just check out a Consumer Reports buying guide from the library. It will tell you point blank which is better based on thousands of owner surveys.

x2, That's what helped us decide.

[Effy]

Et al, I love working on my RV - sans the engine, I am not going there. But no, I wouldn't know the first thing about a modern engine in a car (Jeep or Honda). The vehicle needs to be reliable. I am a DIY guy at heart with just about anything except a car. It needs to be reliable (Did I say that already?). As far as transmission, I have my man card on that issue, I can drive a stick. DW cannot and is not in the mood to learn. (I've asked). I am buying a new vehicle because I want a warranty and hassle free. If I wanted another project I'd get an old CJ and drop a Judge in it with some MT mudders. Unfortunately I have negative time and shallow pockets and even less ambition for a project like that. I fully understand owning an RV negates much of the previous statements, but I did buy it new and have warranties. Let the shop take care of it, I have no time for tinkering on something unreliable.

[Effy]

Big Katuna wrote:

Effy wrote:

Big Katuna wrote:
People tow your Civic. Call Remco and ask. I believe they will tell you it towable. People tow Accords too.

the 2012 civix EX is not towable 4 down. Dolly - yes, 4 down - no. I would love someone to prove me wrong but the dealership, remco and all other sources confirm.

I know the dealer will say no to any Honda except CRV or FIT. They say no to my 2011 Element but I do. A friend tows an 09 Accord which is not approved but Remco says ok.
Remco has always been a good resource to me even when they weren't selling me anything.

That's my point. Remco says it can be towed Dolly only.

[John_Joey]

Biggyniner wrote:

bsinmich wrote:
Being born and raised in Detroit I don't ride in foreign cars. Try the Chev. Equinox. It the newer version of my Saturn Vue and is easily towable.

My family is from Michigan too :B (originally), however, a lot of American made cars are not made in America (though some of that is changing). I don't care if the CEO is American or Japanese, I'll give my money to the company that has the manufacturing state-side as to support the American worker.

I'm third generation auto worker, and I'm here to tell you that's a bunch of hooey. Once the big three create a car that will provide a struggling family a reliable car that will go 10 - 20 years, and stay out of the shop, that's when I will buy domestic again. Having a bunch of cup holders, big engine, and hot rod looks ain't going to do it for me.

To the OP, real simple just check out a Consumer Reports buying guide from the library. It will tell you point blank which is better based on thousands of owner surveys.

[Big_Katuna]

Effy wrote:

Big Katuna wrote:
People tow your Civic. Call Remco and ask. I believe they will tell you it towable. People tow Accords too.

the 2012 civix EX is not towable 4 down. Dolly - yes, 4 down - no. I would love someone to prove me wrong but the dealership, remco and all other sources confirm.

I know the dealer will say no to any Honda except CRV or FIT. They say no to my 2011 Element but I do. A friend tows an 09 Accord which is not approved but Remco says ok.
Remco has always been a good resource to me even when they weren't selling me anything.

[Pangaea_Ron]

vegasfoodguy wrote:

Effy wrote:
Per my original post, it has to be an automatic. Also reliability is a must. I do not have the time or patience to deal with a vehicle I cannot depend on, nor am I in the position for a shadetree DIY vehicle. I have enough projects. This will be a new or 1yr old used with a warranty. It must be reliable/dependable.

Are you sure, you belong in a motorhome?

Maybe he/she realizes that the RV is a project, and doesn't need another one, which seems like a good decision.

We also selected an automatic, which severely limited our options. My wife has had a hip replaced, and I've driven enough manual transmissions in my life, I've happily moved on.

[vegasfoodguy]

Effy wrote:
Per my original post, it has to be an automatic. Also reliability is a must. I do not have the time or patience to deal with a vehicle I cannot depend on, nor am I in the position for a shadetree DIY vehicle. I have enough projects. This will be a new or 1yr old used with a warranty. It must be reliable/dependable.

Are you sure, you belong in a motorhome?

[SRT]

If you don't mind shifting a manual transmission think about a Subaru. Subaru's have a full-time all wheel drive system that is pretty bullet-proof. The Outback has about 8" of ground clearance so one can explore a lot of back roads. There are no distance or speed limits when towing. Plus it gets better gas mileage then a Jeep. Plus Subaru's have a "softer" ride for more comfort. :B

We went from a '95 Jeep Cherokee Country to a '98 Subaru Outback with 5 speed transmission and haven't looked back.

[Pangaea_Ron]

We just completed a similar search, 2014 CR-V EX-L (AWD) vs 2014 Jeep Cherokee, and we selected the CR-V, based on reliability(?), interior design/quality, and actually price. The Honda salesman clinched the deal when we could not decide on the color, and he said: Let's drive it to your house and compare it. It was good to drive the car on a route that I normally drive and to feel how it performed there.

Car and Driver Magazine did a review of the CR-V, and said that it was like buying an electric toothbrush, it's not the most sexy purchase you'll ever make, but you know that you should do it. I only gave away part of my "man" card.

We loved our 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 6 cylinder automatic, but there seemed to be a few lurking issues, after 140,000 good (+ more towed) miles. We had good luck with the Jeep, but I'm not sure that I wanted to try that again.

[mike_brez]

My 01 wrangler is my tow vechile,snow plow vechile for our bussiness go off roading and is a second around town car for me. Not one problem in 60k miles. I also have two Libertys one 03 with a 4 inch lift and over 100k miles and a 08 with 95k miles and neither have had a problem or back to the dealer for anything except for a free recall. I know there are a bunch of loyal CRV owners and there are a ton of them out there on the road but we took one out for a test drive and did not care for it at all.

[Mody_n_Domy]

Jeep for sure. Its made in America, easy to tow, Its made in America, hold its resale value much better than any other vehicle. Its made right here in the USA!!
If you cant tell I have a hard time sending my hard earned money and to other countries when we need jobs in the USA. Its does cost more than other vehicles but check out the resale value of used CRVs and used Jeeps. It is a Jeep thing you have to own one to understand.

[dubdub07]

mowermech wrote:
Never a Honda, ALWAYS a Jeep! THAT is the ONLY way to go, IMO!
Preferably a Rubicon Unlimited.

I wish there wash a HECK YEA button I could push.....I could not agree more with mowermech.

And anyone that does not like a 2007-2011 Jeep with the mini van motor should try a 2012+. If you want a car, buy the CRV. If you want a beast that will be everything a CRV is and more, get a Jeep.